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Why is everybody at ATT not on the same page?

stephen5688

Jun 23, 2008, 4:08 PM
If you ask can I take service with out a contract and just bill me every month NOT prepaid or go phone, just send me a bill every month like the cable company does. I have my a GSM unlocked phone and good credit I just want to have service and not a contract. 50% of the time you will be told that we dont dot that and the other 50% of the time your told yes we can do that. I just would like to know why everyone dont give the same answer. Is it AT&T is too big and they just cant keep up with what they are doing or is it they dont do a good job of letting everyone know or what? I am not bitching just would like to know and not just about this about other things you ask to.
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Yean

Jun 23, 2008, 4:13 PM
This 50% that you speak of, are they customer care, via call center, corporate retail, authorized retailers, or don't know, don't care, it's all at&t to me?
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LicorShot

Jun 23, 2008, 4:28 PM
to answer the question truthfully

there is NO communication between the sales and customer service teams ....


that is why we act like we don't know what the hell is going on
lol

but u do sometimes get reps that were sales and vice versa that have been on both sides and are pretty knowledgeable about all those things

if u have your own equipment u are not entitled to have a contract
but its my understand u still submit to a credit check and possibly won't be able to get Mobile to mobile mins ... ( but even thats questionable as well )
hope that helps
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Yean

Jun 23, 2008, 4:34 PM
Sprint has that same problem. Corporate retail offices have no communication with the call centers. I can relate,lol.
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markdcv

Jun 23, 2008, 4:48 PM
100% sure you will not find a corporate or agent store that will do that. They are commissioned based and if they do that for you then A. Their no getting anything for it and B. There managers will bitch because they did not sell you on a contract and a cheap phone. Just call customer service and ask for a manager. They were selling sims cards with no contracted service on the website like almost two months ago, what happend to that?
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Yean

Jun 23, 2008, 4:52 PM
Not too sure buddy, I don't work for at&t. I'm sure one of at&t's fellow reps may be able to answer your question. Bump.
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stephen5688

Jun 23, 2008, 5:41 PM
markdcv said:
100% sure you will not find a corporate or agent store that will do that. They are commissioned based and if they do that for you then A. Their no getting anything for it and B. There managers will bitch because they did not sell you on a contract and a cheap phone. Just call customer service and ask for a manager. They were selling sims cards with no contracted service on the website like almost two months ago, what happend to that?

see this is what I am talking about right here. The customer should not be told we dont do that just because the rep is not making a commission on it.
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mandizzle

Jun 23, 2008, 5:49 PM
I've been working in an att call center for over two years now, and I have never once been told that customer's aren't allowed to have no contract, however, we were also told that we are never, under any circumstances, to actually do that. I'm a supervisor and have never once done that for a cusotomer. We are supposed to refer to a corporate store (so once again, that good 'ol communication breakdown between store and call center agents).

However, in my call center is third party, which could also add to the confusion.
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Hayate392

Oct 20, 2008, 9:55 AM
iT'S LIFE.....WE ALL WANT MONEY RIGHT.....you think they sell because they love you? 🤣
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Sharpiefrnd

Oct 29, 2008, 1:44 PM
also point i would like to say in the sales channel we cannot activate a phone without a contract our system wont allow it so when we do activate it even if you do have your own equipment all we can do is note the acct and have you or us call in to get the contract removed its a nightmare and alot of reps don't want to waste there time doing this because we don't get paid for it.
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Jayshmay

Jun 24, 2008, 1:30 AM
That's exactly how I feel, if it says Wal Mart, Washington Mutual, or AT&T on the front of the building and it's NATIONAL then a customer should ALWAYS get the SAME answes no matter where or what employee,. . .customers really hate being given multiple answers to ONE question. That's my rant!
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Webb

Jun 24, 2008, 2:12 AM
Reps tend to hate the information database that tells them everything about everything. As such, there is an element that tends to operate by what it last heard in training, and barring that 'how it's always been done'.
In my site, this trend was accentuated by making email hard to access, limited in its practicality, impossible to keep open (it would shut down if idle). To round it off, we weren't actually given any time to check it. We were expected to notice and read changes to policy without disrupting our call flow (theoretically one of the dozen or so windows we had open would blink if there was an important change - but often not. As a result, changes usually didn't get noticed.

When I left today, there were a good percentage of m...
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AshDizzle

Jun 25, 2008, 4:18 AM
Webb said:
Reps tend to hate the information database that tells them everything about everything. As such, there is an element that tends to operate by what it last heard in training, and barring that 'how it's always been done'.
In my site, this trend was accentuated by making email hard to access, limited in its practicality, impossible to keep open (it would shut down if idle). To round it off, we weren't actually given any time to check it. We were expected to notice and read changes to policy without disrupting our call flow (theoretically one of the dozen or so windows we had open would blink if there was an important change - but often not. As a result, changes usually didn't get noticed.

When I left today, th
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Webb

Jun 26, 2008, 2:09 AM
Thanks. One important detail to consider is that I was working in an outsourced customer service call center up in Soviet Canuckistan, eh? I suspect that was also part of the problem, but realistically I don't have clear comparisons between our model and my co-workers and those of any other center (in-house or otherwise). But I can't help feel that there was some manner of disconnect which didn't exactly help things.
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The New ATnT Wireless

Jun 24, 2008, 8:10 AM
Why are people so psychotic over signing contracts? Do you use a cell phone everyday? Are you going to be needing a cell phone in your life for years to come? Chances are, you answer yes to both questions.

So what is the big deal about signing some silly contract? Two years from now, you'll still be using wireless phones, so why is it too painful to do a contract?
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Fredd

Jun 24, 2008, 9:39 AM
But why should someone be forced into a contract when they are not buying equipmnet? The base reason for the commitment is to protect from loss of revenue from early termination when subsidizing the cost of the phone.

The systems do not require a commitment when activatign a co-am (Customer Owned Activation or Migration).
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Jayshmay

Oct 21, 2008, 12:42 AM
I agree w/u. One of the benefits of ATT is you can make changes to your acct w/o a contract extension being required. With the G1 coming out on Tmo I did some research on them, and learned that they require a contract extension when changes are made to an acct, for that 1 reason I'm staying with ATT, more freedom with ATT. I haven't been under contract now for 3yrs, because I have higher standards than ATT when it comes to the handsets, they refuse to carry the N95-3, so therefor they have nothing that is worth upgrading to, because AT&T doesn't offer anything that lives up to the N95.
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arsimckhoi

Oct 30, 2008, 12:46 PM
actually nobody in the industry will "lock you in" if you change your plan in or out of contract go ask the t mobile forum and see for your self
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Jayshmay

Jun 24, 2008, 12:42 PM
Here are my comments about contracts!!!

Whatever happened to EARNING business rather than DEMANDING it?!!?

Electric bills=no contract
Cable tv=no contract
Auto insurance=no contract

I can leave any of those services at ANYTIME if I feel they don't DESERVE my business.

The -- ONLY -- contract I believe in is with a woman in marriage, NOT a bussiness! ! !

I have not been BINDED to Cingular (now AT&T) since October 2005, I've been with the same wireless carrier because I --CHOOSE-- not because I am BINDED by a contract to a business!! !! !!

Whatever happen to EARNING bussiness??? I think satellite companies BIND they're customers down with contracts too rather than EARNING business.
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Fredd

Jun 24, 2008, 1:51 PM
I need to make one HUGE correction to your statement - auto insurance is indeed a contract! All Insurance policies are aleatory contracts, in which the insurer agrees to act if an event occurs in exchange for agreements by the insured see the terms & conditions portion of your policy). Also, many auto insurance polices have a short term cancellation penalty, where a percentage of the unearned premium for the balance of the term of the contract is retained by the insurer. Some state jurisdictions may have changed this provision.

In case you doubt my word, I majored in Risk Management & Insurance, have over 25 years of Commercial Insurance experience, and received my CPCU designation in 1995.

On cell phones, if you do not want to pay ...
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Blumpelstiltskin

Jun 24, 2008, 6:20 PM
What ever happened to customer loyalty? People bitch the second they don't get things their own way. If you want things your way (besides opening up your own burger king) make your own cellular company. Piss and moan about overages, contracts, wet phones... go for it... it doesn't get you anywhere.

I've said this before in this forum:

Aside from subsidizing your phone (which you opt out of) - AT&T also locks you into lower pricing when you sign a contract. It's a simple business lesson - do me a favor, look up profit margin. By you agreeing to pay AT&T $40 a month, they will give you 450 minutes, 5k N&W and unlimited M2M. I agree that customers should be able to activate service using their own phones and not be binded into a con...
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AvgJoe

Jun 24, 2008, 4:08 PM
The New ATnT Wireless said:
Why are people so psychotic over signing contracts? Do you use a cell phone everyday? Are you going to be needing a cell phone in your life for years to come? Chances are, you answer yes to both questions.

So what is the big deal about signing some silly contract? Two years from now, you'll still be using wireless phones, so why is it too painful to do a contract?

I have not been on contract since the Sony T637. Why? Becasue ATT doesn't have anything but phones as an incentive. I buy my phones unlocked unbranded and do not need to be obligated"just because" I am not under contract with my Landline/Internet, or cable compay either, No need to,

Whats the big deal about NO...
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PhonemanJ

Jun 24, 2008, 6:23 PM
Remember, a contract protects both parties. From AT&ts end, it protects their investment in the equipment that the customer is getting at a discount. Hidden in the cost of the rate plan is a little bit each month to pay for the equipment that the customer got for next to nothing.

Here is what it protects for the customer. In an earlier post someone said that they did not sign a contract for a utility company such as the gas or electric company. By not doing so, that company can, at their own discretion (and in some states with approval) can go up on their rates anytime they want. AT&T has not done that with their non-contract customers, but if they ever wanted to, they could. After all, you have no agreement with them to hold the rate pla...
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AvgJoe

Jun 24, 2008, 10:27 PM
PhonemanJ said:
Remember, a contract protects both parties. From AT&ts end, it protects their investment in the equipment that the customer is getting at a discount. Hidden in the cost of the rate plan is a little bit each month to pay for the equipment that the customer got for next to nothing.

Here is what it protects for the customer. In an earlier post someone said that they did not sign a contract for a utility company such as the gas or electric company. By not doing so, that company can, at their own discretion (and in some states with approval) can go up on their rates anytime they want. AT&T has not done that with their non-contract customers, but if they ever wanted to, they could. After all, you have no agre
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Webb

Jun 25, 2008, 12:37 AM
Er... No! Have you read AT&T's T&C's. They specifically say that AT&T CAN change your rates. This has particularly been applied with pay per use text messaging.

AT&T can use various provisions to:
*change your rate plan.
*change specific feature rates.
*cancel your service altogether.

The contract most assuredly does not afford the consumer any degree of protection. It does not even specifically provide for any particular rate plan. It says (in short), "Now you have to stay with us for X long or pay X dollars."

Sometimes specific promotions (back when AT&T/Cingular used to have such things) would be good for the length of the contract. But again, AT&T still had measures which would allow to them to discontinue it.

In the event...
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Iselltheshitoutofphones

Jun 24, 2008, 4:12 PM
Getting a no commitment contract is not a problem.

You are right on the irony that at&t being a communications company CANNOT communicate evenly to all points of distribution. I live this daily.

That is why it is always go to go into a store. Your local stores should be able to help. Sometimes it requires someone to think outside the box.

Since 99.9% of at&t's customers sign some type of contract, rarely do we see someone like your situation.

I am sure you know this, but with an unlocked phone, only the text and voice calls work. Picture messaging and internet will not work unless the settings are provisioned in the phone. Unfourtuantley, customer service will not give those settings to you as at&t's policy is not to support unl...
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crackberry

Jun 24, 2008, 6:23 PM
this sounds familiar.
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AshDizzle

Jun 25, 2008, 4:23 AM
The bottom line:

You can get all the regular consumer postpaid plans on no-contract if you either have your own equipment or purchase the equipment at the no commitment price. You will be charged a $25 SIM fee in addition to activation fees.

As far as the data plans go, Laptop Connect requires a minimum 12 month contract regardless of how you get your equipment (unless you get 2 year pricing of course). Please correct me if I am wrong on this, as I actually have seen no commitment available now on Laptop Connect.

BlackBerry International requires a 12 month contract when added on and will be charged a $175 ETF if removed.

If you ask a rep and they say you can't get on at no contract, ask them to review the terms on CSP or ask t...
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wirelesschic0227

Jun 25, 2008, 10:50 AM
I apologize to you and everyone else who has had this experience with any company. I have been reading this sight for years, but this is the first time I have decided to respond to someone.
I have worked for corporate AT&T, Cingular, Verizon, Sprint, and the new AT&T. I will say that sadly miscommunication between channels is not uncommon with any company. I have always been in retail sales, and regardless of the company that I worked for I have had customers come in wanting something a CS offered that I can't do. I will say that with Verizon this was the exception not the rule. Now I work for an AT&T agent and I do not have the option, in the system that I use, to choose anything but 24 months as the contract length. If anyone out there ...
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tadams

Oct 20, 2008, 3:26 PM
I always have had to email it to RAE. She has never been too happy about it. 😉
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ralph_on_me

Oct 20, 2008, 3:37 PM
Our RAE can't change the contract to zero, they have to change the contract to an earlier date and set it at 11 months. I honestly just think she doesn't know what she's doing though.

Using POS.COM II, I cant select zero months on an activation, but not on an upgrade. Activations let me choose 0, 12, or 24 month commitments.
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Crapbag

Oct 20, 2008, 5:46 PM
We can't do it in Northwest States. Not only will it not let us, but we wouldn't get paid a dime if it did. In fact, I can't even do 12 month activations. The only way I can now do a 12 month contract is on upgrades.
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Nadesico81

Oct 21, 2008, 3:06 AM
Due that suxs

In the UK its very common to have a SIM only plan with no contract. Vodafone, o2, 3uk, and Orange will do them all day long.

Most people here have two or three extra unlocked phones. My 02 phone is a sim only plan with NO contract.

The only down side is if its not a branded network handset they wont help with the web settings. But text and voice work just fine.

Now as for ATT there is MONEY to be made in SIM only contracts. They should be selling PAYG Sims for less then 25.00 bucks.

In the UK most networks will send you up to 10 free SIM cards a year. All you have to do is ask and vola then come in the post.
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Hombre07

Oct 21, 2008, 8:08 AM
That's weird bro, in Great Lakes we can ONLY do a 24 month upgrade but we can do a 0, 12, or 24 new line. However the pay structures are terrible. a 24 month is 100% of pay, a 12 is like 20% of that, and a 0% is nothing at all.
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Crapbag

Oct 21, 2008, 11:03 AM
The twelve month are exception upgrades only. I'm not sure if it will regularly let me do them or not. Pay is also terrible on them.
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ralph_on_me

Oct 21, 2008, 9:45 AM
Yeah, we don't get paid for a zero month commitment either. Is your area under CARE?
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Crapbag

Oct 21, 2008, 11:00 AM
POS II. Are we talking point of sale systems?
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ralph_on_me

Oct 21, 2008, 11:08 AM
POS for point of sale, yeah, I meant what CS uses though. POS is just an interface for whatever billing system that market uses. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is a telligence v care issue.
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Crapbag

Oct 21, 2008, 11:50 AM
Core uses Telligence up here. I have no idea what billing system they use.
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sinner1649

Oct 21, 2008, 2:58 PM
I can do 0,12,and 24 month acts or upg. Im in the stl market(my main market) and I use pos2(telegence).

I haven't done a 0 month deal in quite some time, but if I remember right you do not get anything promotional on your plan at all!
I'm pretty sure you only get your anytime minutes. That means no night and weekend minutes, no m 2 m minutes, no rollover, etc.

I guess if you went with the $99.99 unl plan this all wouldn't matter to you though.

Maybe I'm wrong, thats how it used to be. But who knows, AT&T likes to change everything around it seems like everyday now. 🙂
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Crapbag

Oct 21, 2008, 7:03 PM
I haven't been able to do a no contract since they came out with Pick Your Plan. Now, if you want a no contract, I refer people to prepaid. Prior to pick your plan I was able to do it, but I didn't get paid for it. That was back when we were Pacbell & Northwest states.
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YepYepYep

Oct 21, 2008, 9:59 PM
I went in last Thursday with my own equipment and I got a post-paid account with no contract.
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Crapbag

Oct 22, 2008, 3:48 PM
I'm not saying it doesn't or can't happen. Simply that I can not do it. I do not have the option. It's grayed out removing my ability to select it.
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JJEQ

Oct 28, 2008, 9:11 PM
if u purchase your own equipment and start with your own equipment it states that there is no contract at activation .. however if there is a transfer of service where u remove ur line from one account to another with own equipment or not then there is 11 month verbal contract agreement.. or if u purchae discounted equipment then there will be a 2 yr agreement...
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Iselltheshitoutofphones

Oct 21, 2008, 12:21 PM
Stephen,

PM me, if you would like to be set up under a no commitment contract. I'll give you a free SIM too. Let me know if I can help you.

Will
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chocolateman85006

Oct 23, 2008, 3:47 PM
stephen5688 said:
Suppose you ask if you can take service with out a contract and just bill me every month, NOT prepaid or go phone, but to send you a bill every month like the cable company does? I have my a GSM unlocked phone and good credit. I just want to have service and not a contract. 50% of the time you will be told that we don't dot that and the other 50% of the time you're told, "Yes, we can do that". I just would like to know why everyone doesn't give the same answer. Is it AT&T is too big and they just cant keep up with what they are doing or is it they don't do a good job of letting everyone know? I am not bitching just would like to know and not just about this about other things you ask, too.

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clueworm82

Nov 1, 2008, 1:50 PM
Since you have your own equipment you should be able to activate on a month to month basis. You will however need to have a credit check done and pay any deposits that they may need to get service going. Plus an activation fee of $36
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